Hostelworld Press Room

Virgin Blue ties up with Hostelworld.com to offer more accommodation choices

April 25, 2007

Virgin Blue, Australia's high quality low cost carrier, is teaming up with on-line hostel booking company Hostelworld.com to offer passengers a wider range of accommodation choices.

Hostelworld.com provides on-line confirmed bookings for independent hostels, youth hostels, budget accommodation centers and package tours as well as comprehensive content such as city and country guides. All bookings are made securely, in real-time and guaranteed by Hostelworld.com.

Hostelworld.com's travel network is one of the most recent additions to the site, giving users a variety of travel planning tools and social networking options at their fingertips. Through personalized web pages, users can track their upcoming hostel reservations, plan future trips, review cities and hostels, connect with travel buddies, keep an online blog, upload photos and more.

The travel network is one of a number of innovative features on Hostelworld.com aimed at helping customers with their trips - others include downloadable pocket guides, online sample itineraries and travel features.
Hostelworld.com Managing Director, Niamh Ni Mhir said; "We are excited at the potential of this partnership with Virgin Blue. The Australian market is one of our busiest for hostel bookings and has long been a favourite with backpackers. With the extensive flight routes that Virgin Blue offer, travelers can now access more destinations without breaking the bank on a trip down under. Deals include a dorm bed in Cairns from AUD$15 to a private room in Sydney for two people from $28 or a lodge in Fiji from AUD$19 per person sharing. Young people traveling on a budget can now combine a low cost flight with Virgin Blue with low cost accommodation from Hostelworld.com in top destinations throughout Australia and the Pacific"

Virgin Blue is Australia's most popular low fare airline, serving 21 cities around Australia as well as destinations in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Vanuatu. Virgin Blue spokesperson Amanda Bolger said; "We welcome Hostelworld to our growing list of partners and are confident our new relationship will offer strong benefits and convenience to those travelling on a budget. Australia is one of the world's best loved destinations for free spirited backpackers and we look forward to further growing this market and catering to its needs in partnership with Hostelworld."

About Virgin BlueMulti award winning airline Virgin Blue and International carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 53 modern Boeing 737 aircraft flying to 22 Australian and 8 International destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. For Virgin Blue bookings log on to www.virginblue.com.au or call 13 6789. For Pacific Blue bookings log on to www.flypacificblue.com or call 13 1645 from Australia or 0800 670 000 from New Zealand. For dynamic package deals, holiday your way by logging on to www.blueholidays.com.au

About Hostelworld.comHostelworld.com is a leading provider of online reservations to the budget, independent and youth travel market. It offers confirmed online reservations for over 12,000 hostels and budget hotels in 165 countries worldwide. The site also offers budget travellers free podcasts, customised city guides, a travel social network and more. Hostelworld.com is headquartered in Dublin and is fully owned and operated by Web Reservations International Ltd (WRI).